Memo

TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the public health law, in relation to a physical fitness and activity education campaign

PURPOSE:

This bill would establish a New York State Physical Fitness and Activity Education Campaign.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1- Legislative intent - this campaign would encourage physical activity which will improve the fitness of the people of NYS and will complement existing programs administered by the department of health that develop and promote nutrition and wellness activities.

Section 2 - Amends the public health law by adding a new section 264.

Section 3 - Effective date

JUSTIFICATION:

Cornell University experts estimate that obesity costs the United States an estimated $117 billion annually and results in the premature death of approximately 300,000 people a year. Although tobacco has a higher death toll because lung cancer can kill more quickly than obesity, the long term health problems and costs resulting from obesity are far greater.

According to a recent economic report, obese Americans spend more on health care and medications than smokers. This is in large part because extra weight can result in the same jump in chronic health problems as does twenty years of aging. Obesity is associated with numerous health problems and increases the risk for hypertension, heart disease, cancer, asthma, depression, sleep apnea, Type-2 diabetes, high blood cholesterol, stroke, gallbladder diseases, complications with pregnancy, back pain and spinal cord injuries.

In the past 25 years, the prevalence of obesity has dramatically increased. In an effort to combat this growing problem, this legislation creates the New York Physical Fitness and Activity Education Campaign. The Campaign's mission is to increase awareness regarding the problems associated with obesity and to promote sports, recreational and physical fitness activities within the State of New York.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

Minimal

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This shall take effect immediately.

Text

STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
7000
IN SENATE
April 11, 2014
___________

Introduced by Sen. DeFRANCISCO -- read twice and ordered printed, and
when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to a physical fitness
and activity education campaign
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Legislative intent. The legislature hereby determines that
a public awareness and educational campaign to encourage physical activ-
ity will improve the fitness of the people of the state of New York and
lead to a lifetime of good health. This campaign will complement exist-
ing programs administered by the department of health that develop and
promote nutrition and wellness activities that enhance the quality-of-
life for children and adults.
S 2. The public health law is amended by adding a new section 264 to
read as follows:
S 264. NEW YORK STATE PHYSICAL FITNESS AND ACTIVITY EDUCATION
CAMPAIGN. 1. A NEW YORK STATE PHYSICAL FITNESS AND ACTIVITY EDUCATION
CAMPAIGN IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE COMMIS-
SIONER FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING PHYSICAL FITNESS AND ACTIVITY
THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A PUBLIC EDUCATION AND
OUTREACH CAMPAIGN.
2. THE CAMPAIGN WILL FOCUS ON INCREASING PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE
IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL FITNESS AND ACTIVITY AND ITS CORRESPONDING HEALTH
BENEFITS. THE CAMPAIGN WILL INCREASE PUBLIC AWARENESS THROUGH THE USE OF
SOCIAL AND MASS MEDIA, INCLUDING INTERNET, TELEVISION, RADIO, AND PRINT
ADVERTISING TO PROMOTE THIS MESSAGE. THE CAMPAIGN WILL ALSO IDENTIFY AND
RECRUIT INDIVIDUALS TO SERVE AS VISIBLE, PUBLIC AMBASSADORS TO PROMOTE
THIS MESSAGE. SUCH AMBASSADORS MAY INCLUDE PROFESSIONAL AND AMATEUR
ATHLETES, FITNESS EXPERTS, AND CELEBRITY ADVOCATES FROM MEDIA, MUSIC AND
OTHER ENTERTAINMENT MEDIUMS.
3. THE CAMPAIGN WILL BE STATE-WIDE, AND FOCUS ON PROMOTING PHYSICAL
FITNESS AND ACTIVITY FOR THE FOLLOWING POPULATIONS: SENIORS; YOUTH; AND
OTHER HIGH-RISK POPULATIONS.

EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14558-01-4

S. 7000 2

4. FUNDS MADE AVAILABLE FOR EXPENDITURE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION MAY
BE DISTRIBUTED BY THE COMMISSIONER, WITHOUT A COMPETITIVE BID OR REQUEST
FOR PROPOSAL PROCESS FOR THE PURPOSES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION, INCLUD-
ING BUT NOT LIMITED TO A MEDIA CAMPAIGN THAT PROMOTES PHYSICAL FITNESS
AND ACTIVITY THROUGH PUBLIC EDUCATION AND OUTREACH.
S 3. This act shall take effect immediately.

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